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It has been around a week since then, and we had advanced steadily across the grasslands. At some point, we reached an area without a road, and I guess this is where it ends. From now onwards, we’ll be crossing through the wilderness where we might encounter rocks that could impend our travel…
A certain concern about the wooden wheels getting broken emerged in my head, especially because the carriages carry a lot of people, so they’re extra heavy…
Today was rather misty as well. There was a cold mist all around us, and the sky was mostly cloudy. We stopped right in front of our path, which was a large pine forest. But, I don’t think we can easily get through a forest using carriages… especially such a big group of them like the ones we got.
If possible, we’ll need to go around the forest, but I don’t know how that will end.
Maybe I should put everyone inside my Shadow and rush as fast as possible when the night comes?
No, the space inside my shadow is not that big. It can fit a dozen of people, but all these carriages and hundreds of people? No way…
I could store the carriage inside the Inventory, but the hundreds of people will be all stretchy inside the shadows, and many might even suffer from that, so unless it is an emergency, I don’t want to try that option.
Expand my shadow infinitely? That’s not possible. There’s a limit that I cannot really increase for now, no matter how much Mana I use.
It was around 2 PM, so I decided to hold a little meeting with my trusted ones to talk about it while the rest of the people were cooking with the guidance of some of my little clones that resemble little girls, and Silvio and Francesco’s clones made out of their fiery phantom.
These two had become pretty good at cooking and even gained this Skill lately. They also gained a Skill named [Bonfire: Lv1], which allows them to create a bonfire of themselves to warm people more comfortably. It even comes with bonuses to regeneration, better sleep, and more… I never expected this would be their talent!
Anyways, back to the topic.
There was the Goblin Chief, the Goblin Elder, who is his father, Gofumin was, sitting on my lap, the twins Takeshi and Laura, Catarina, Silvio, Francesco, Lucifer, Emeraldine, Partner, and yours truly.
Yeah… this was the “crew,” more or less.
Catarina had been growing a bit more open in this week, but it is obvious it’s gonna take her a while. For the moment, she ended up accepting to help if possible in this meeting, although she seemed a bit shy, so I made her sit at my side.
“Wow, you look strong, nee-chan!” Said Gofumin, looking at Catarina’s abs.
“Yeah, she has some nice abs,” I said.
“W-What?” Exclaimed Catarina while blushing again.
“Anyways! I made a meeting with all of you guys because I wanted to discuss… What do we do now?! I am really… I don’t know. I am a dummy. I’m only good at fighting and being cunning. This type of stuff is not my forte,” I sighed, feeling pathetic.
“You’re no dummy,” Sighed the Goblin Chief.
“Yeah, don’t say that of you, Maria,” Said Lucifer.
“Yeah! You’re super intelligent, Maria-sama,” Said Emeraldine with a radiant smile.
“Don’t say that of you!” Said Partner.
“Uwah… Everyone…” I cried.
“Actually I think you’re a dumbass ninety percent of the time,” Said Catarina.
“Geh… That was harsh. And instantly negated everyone’s praises,” I sighed.
Ugh, why are our minds like this? We get praised everywhere, but whenever we get a harsh comment, we get depressed no matter what all these other people had said about us before… Truly, even as a ghost, I am still quite a human.
Anyways, after everyone ended up reprimanding Catarina and I stopped her from starting another fight, we finally got into the conversation.
I put the map over the table, and everyone looked at it.
I had marked it with a pencil.
“This X is where we are currently. This big forest covers a large amount of space, and it is also said to be filled with monsters… They name it the Dark Pine Forest… And there’s even a Dungeon on it. But nobody goes there due to the danger level of B,” I said.
“Looks like a dangerous place to go with so many people…” Said the Goblin Chief.
“I agree, we should really just go around the forest. Entering it would be like poking a wasp nest… I-I know that Maria-sama and her companions are very strong and can survive without issues, but… All of us might easily die there, and even if you could protect us, it would be taxing to do it for several days continuously, right?” Asked the Goblin Elder.
“Although I would like to charge ahead and beat some monsters to gain EXP, I guess the old man’s right,” Said Catarina.
“I agree… I think I could bring some people with me while flying around. We could scout the forest a bit before going around it,” Said Lucifer.
“Oh, you’re right about that, Lucifer. Perhaps we should do that, Maria-sama,” Said Emeraldine.
“Yeah, let’s go around but after scouting the forest through the sky… It is big, so it might take some time,” Said Partner.
“Oh, alright then! I and the ghosts can fly, Partner and Lucifer too can fly naturally, but the rest cannot. I guess Lucifer can carry a few of you guys over his back, or I can carry some in my shadow,” I said.
Everyone agreed to it, and we decided to scout the forest’s surroundings before continuing.
Our goal was right after passing through this large forest, around a dozen more kilometers past it… there’s another smaller forest there, and then, the ruins of the Demon Kingdom, our ultimate destination…
After we finally arrive there, we’ll be able to build our own village! That’s going to be a LOT of work…
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